NewU: Fitness First Personal Trainer (Wii)

I can agree with some of the reviews, because, at first it seemed that it wasn't picking up what I was doing (using the balance board or remote), and kept asking if I had stopped, but now I seem to be getting the hang of it. It does seem that you have to be in a particular position for it to stay in the green light, when it counts how many repetitions you have done correctly (if not, it will change to orange then red - and that's when it will ask if you have stopped.) Also, timing is an issue. I am still having problems with squats - but this is improving - as I was originally getting, for example, 7/32, - yesterday I got 26/32 (still a fail) - so I am getting better - slowly. At first, it will ask you to pick your main goal - I picked weight loss - and then a secondary goal - I picked looking good. It will also ask you which foods you like to eat, and will then work out menus - I don't use it for the menus, but it is useful, if you want to do that. Then you are asked to pick 1 of the 4 trainers; 2 men & 2 women. They tell you a bit about themselves - and you don't get a cartoon graphic, once you have picked 1 of them - it's a real person, and then you choose 1 of the 4 backgrounds. It will then work out a plan for you - including a daily workout and menu plan. I try to do a daily workout every day or so - these are only lasting 15 minutes at the moment. Sometimes I will also do an express workout (quick, morning, lunchtime or evening) - which are slightly different to the daily workouts - less repetitions, and then a challenge. You can check your progress, and I am onto week 6 at the moment. This will track your main goal, along with your secondary goal, to see how you are doing. There is also a section for bronze, silver & gold medals. I seem to be sticking to silver medals, at the moment, with the daily workouts - I have about 28, with 2 for gold and 2 for bronze. In these daily workouts, it will give you either 6 or 8 sessions (about 15mins in total), and you are marked as bronze, silver or gold medals at the end of each session - then it works out which medal you have reached overall - it's the same with the express workouts. Maybe when I have improved, these workouts will last longer than 15 mins. Another section is for 3 levels; Sapphire, Ruby & Diamond. I still haven't reached the Sapphire level. I am nearly there - I think - it's these squats that are letting me down. Maybe once I get a few gold medals, it will change. If anyone can give me any help on how to get these squats right, it would be very much appreciated! There is also a section for challenges; dance, cardio test, army, boxing & football; there can be about 3 or 6 sessions in these, but you have to do more repetitions than in the daily workouts. I am still failing these, because of the squats again, but I am improving slowly, as I seem to be getting around 80% now. You obviously have to get around 90% to pass these challenges. Yes, the actions from the trainers are quite funny - holding their heads in their hands when you haven't succeeded with one of the sessions - or gesticulating with their arms above their heads, when you have succeeded. I am 42 and overweight, and have already completed 60 workouts; this includes the challenges; so I think I am improving very slowly, but I find this a fun way to get fit, as I hate gyms.

Update - 30/10/09
I clicked onto my daily workout in my plan yesterday - and the exercises have now changed, they are harder - and there are now 10 of them! One of them was a cat crawl. You lie with your feet out behind you - hands on either side of the balance board, arch your back and then swoop down over the balance board - you need strong arms for this! The trainer shook his head, and said "terrible" after 12 repetitions - I think I managed 2. So you don't stick to the same workouts - I must have improved somewhere - if it's put me onto harder exercises. Press-ups (not on knees) - yes, they are hard work, but if it gives me strength in my arms, I am going to keep doing them. Oh - and there were no squats this time. All I got from the trainer at the end of the workout was "That was ok" in a bored voice!

Finally a game that has got me dusting the cobwebs off the wii board! After a long break from wii fit I was cringing at getting back on the board and being told I've been gone too long and my weight has gone up. NewU is much kinder and only gives you your weight if you ask for it. Much better. I'd rather track my progress with my BMI than actual weight - though keep in mind BMI doesn't take into account muscle bulk vs fat. It's a great game much better than an exercise DVD as it gives you feedback but I have to agree with other reviews that the sensitivity/connectivity is poor on some workouts with it not recognising the moves you are doing. Very frustrating when I'm straining and sweating and it thinks I have stopped!

I had hoped the routine would be longer than 15mins but it is early days and it may lengthen the routine as I improve. The proof in this game will come in whether you do actually meet your goals - I have set mine to drop a dress size so watch this space...

The recipes are imaginative and inspiring and a novel idea.

Overall a great game - let's see if it has the staying power to keep me active!

I got this game yesterday after using EA Sports Active for 2 months. I was less than impressed! But then I have been doing 30-60 mins a day. I did the 15 mins yesterday quite easily. Today the exercises, which are targeted towards your goals, were the same 15 mins, BUT! My pecs, biceps, triceps are SCREAMING! This dvd touches muscles that other ones don't! Yes the trainers at the end of your exercise gesticulating are superfluous! But using the wii fit board adds another dimension, and targets muscles that easa doesn't! I shall use this in conjunction with EASA and MFC!
Update!
Some of the exercises don't register. I reckon that this is that you need to be far enough away and in line with the receptor on the tv. I also had to change my options as weightloss seemed to have loads of pressups! I CANNOT DO PRESSUPS! When I changed to Pilates this was remedied (they still have them but infrequently). It says they wind stuff down if it's too hard, but I can't say I've noticed! BUT you really feel your abs with only 15 mins Pilates and I've lost 1/2 " from my waist in the last 2 weeks!